Police bans traditional Jagaddhatri idol immersion process in Krishnagar to prevent Covid infections

Mr Ghosh also said, “If any puja organizer violates the high court guidelines and covid protocols, we will take legal action against them.”

Biswabrata Goswami

Hummingbird News 

KRISHNAGAR, 20 NOV: Considering the guidelines enacted by the Kolkata High Court over some restrictions on puja festivities to curb the spread of Covid infections, the Krishnagar police district has banned immersion procession with ‘Saang’(a structure made by bamboos to place the idols on it before moving for immersion).

Superintendent of police, Krishnagar PD, Biswajit Ghosh said, “Carrying idols with saang on shoulders of bearers is completely banned as this type of immersion procession will violate the very motive of the High Court guidelines. We cannot allow the puja organizers to conduct such a traditional immersion process for this year only after considering the ongoing pandemic situation.”

Mr Ghosh also said, “If any puja organizer violates the high court guidelines and covid protocols, we will take legal action against them.”

During the Kali puja, same restrictions and covid protocols were imposed while a puja committee of Harijan Palli deliberately violated the guidelines and took out procession carrying idols with saang on the shoulders of the carriers. 

“We have initiated a case against the puja committee and charges under section 188 of Indian Penal Codes for violating court order and government order and sections under epidemic act have been slapped against the committee members”, a senior police officer said.   

This apart, the Krishnagar police district has also imposed some restrictions while conducting Jagaddhatri puja. In this respect, the Krishnagar police district had conducted a meeting with puja organizers and ruling party leaders where Mr Ghosh had clearly mentioned that all puja pandals should be declared as a containment zone. “In case of smaller puja, maximum 20 persons shall be allowed (not more than 15 persons at a time) and in case of big puja pandal, maximum 60 persons shall be allowed (not more than 45 persons at a time)”, Mr Ghosh said.

While informing about immersion related guidelines, Mr Ghosh said, “No carnival programme will be allowed. No procession will be allowed for immersion of idols. Band parties and lighting arrangements will not be allowed on the way to immersion ghat. The shortest possible route from pandal to immersion ghat shall be taken for the purpose of immersion.”

Meanwhile, a considerable number of Krishnagar people want to conduct their ‘traditional way of immersion process’ i.e. carrying idols with saang on shoulders of carriers. Most of the puja committees had appealed to the SP, Mr Ghosh. In this regard, the ruling party leaders who are patronizing several baroari and club pujas are in trouble as this ‘saang issue’ has become a sentimental issue before them ahead of the assembly polls. The BJP leaders have kept close watch on this matter and they are looking for how the ruling party leaders manage the issue.